This guide was written for Dr. Bonnie O'Neill's MANA 3001 course, which works on the X-Culture projects.

Below are sample resources to use for researching each industry / country.  They are organized by the names of the client companies.

Immediately below are several databases to use for all the X-Culture projects.  And these are databases to which I cannot create durable links to specific content or reports:  you will have to learn about them, how to search in them, what are their limitations and strengths.

• Library Login:  This method (a proxy server) is quick and easy, and requires no setup.  But a few databases will not work with it, and it is less reliable when there is heavy internet traffic or a slow connection.
• VPN (virtual private network): The VPN requires you to download an app onto both your cell phone and your computer.  It is much more reliable during times of heavy internet traffic, and is well worth the necessary setup time. Outline of the steps required for the VPN:
  1. Find detailed VPN instructions here. Once there, click on "How do I start using GlobalProtect VPN and Duo?"
  2. Register for Duo Mobile. Two ways to do that: via an email from ITS (helpdesk@marquette.edu; you can email and ask for "the VPN registration invitation email"); or if off-campus, via Office365.
  3. Download the Duo Mobile app onto your cell phone. Allow push notifications for it.
  4. Download the GlobalProtect app onto your computer.
  5. Complete GlobalProtect setup on your computer. (See step 3 instructions under "How do I start Using GlobalProtect VPN and Duo?") 

Although the detailed instructions page refers you to Information Technology Services for help, at the Raynor Information Desk we can also help with some parts of the process.  Give us a call at (414) 288-7556.

Here are some general guidelines for using these databases:

• Passport:  has great international coverage. There is a video demo for how to search in Passport too.
  1. Industry coverage: its greatest strength is in consumer packaged goods, but it does cover other industries such travel and tourism.  When selecting geographies, you'll get better results if you select individual countries, rather than just regions.  (E.g. China and Japan, instead of Asia-Pacific.)
  2. Country economic and social indicator data:  use Passport to pull and compare statistics on the countries (e.g. population, education, income, consumption expenditures; business environment data) that you're evaluating and considering recommending.
• IBISWorld:  coverage is primarily for the US, and uses the NAICS code as its organizing principle. However, it has very granular coverage of industries; it will help to explain the industry supply chain, even if you are more interested in other countries. 
• Refinitiv Workspace's After Market Research module: some instructions with screenshots are available here.  In addition to those instructions, add "marketline industry profiles" in the Contributor field.  Or, simply send me an email request to meet and I'll walk you through the steps required.  Please include a few dates/times that are convenient for you!  
• ABI/Inform Collection:  probably our largest trade article database. 

For overviews of the industries that ASI works in already (medical, aerospace, etc.) but within specific countries or regions, search in the Fitch Solutions reports (accessible from the Industry Profiles page).

EdTech is a jargon word that describes technology that intersects with, or supports, education. Differ.chat and X-Culture Academy both fall into this category, at least to some extent.

Below are some generic industry profiles for related technologies.  But to find more relevant sources, you will need to try using IDC, which provides market research on all things tech. I also recommend searching in ABI/Inform Collection. 

Notes:

X-Culture Academy, they are aiming more at teenagers, which means that they will most likely have to go through intermediary organizations such as schools.  Other possible intermediaries include youth organizations such as:

  –  Junior Achievement
  –  Model United Nations
  –  Global Classroom

Note: IBISWorld has a report titled "After-school program providers".  Look also at NAICS code 51121e ("Video Game Software Publishing in the US").

Differ.chat: look for reports on social media overall, not just in the educational setting.  They will give you a better sense of the issues confronting any new social media.

Use Passport!  Look for the broader sectors including handbags, purses, and luggage for context.

Use Passport!  Lots of stuff there ...

Look for the country reports titled "Traditional Toys & Games in [country name]".

Use Passport.  

Use IDC!  An example report from them is linked below. 

Use ABI-Inform Collection to find trade articles.  In addition to searching on the word 'blockchain', also search on the phrase NFT, or 'non-fungible token'.

Use Passport: it has a section on travel.

Be aware that the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) has made the US a leader in many things related to disability.  I'm including a few links which are exclusively US oriented simply because they give an overview of terminology or issues.

Health in the EU:

Trade journal / magazine articles:

Search in ABI/Inform Collection for current news on this specialized industry.  

IMPORTANT note:

When searching in the trade magazine databases, remember to use both spellings, stairlift and stair lift, and also various broader terms.  Here are a few examples: 

Below are a couple useful items I found either directly in Business Insights Essentials, or from a reference in it.